Flowering Andalucia

This trip was an amazing success, and Rob and I enjoyed our holiday enormously.

Art Safari are an amazing company to work with, and there are plans being made for me to run a trip for them in 2018. Keep your eye open for further details. Siân

With Sian Dudley

14th - 20th May 2017

I am delighted to be revisiting Las Chimeneas, Mairena in May 2017. I fell in love with this delightful traditional village during my Art Safari tour in 2016, and I am really looking forward to going back. In fact I loved it so much that after my week tutoring on the Art Safari painting holiday, Rob is flying out to join me, and we are staying on for another week painting!

To join me on this holiday visit the Art Safari website, where you will find more details and where you will be able to book. If you have any questions do not hesitate to call them, Mary-Anne and Heidi are very friendly and helpful. Or of course, you could contact me; prepare yourself for my infectious enthusiasm!

MAIRENA

Mairena is an extremely pretty village in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

There are white washed houses in delightful narrow winding streets, lined with pots of flowers. The houses throw fascinating shadows set against bright strips of sunlight, and tantalising glimpses through the gaps to views of the surrounding countryside. Stepping around a corner will reveal a panoramic view of the surrounding region; you can see the Mediterranean, and on a clear day, all the way to Morocco. Mairena is set on quite a steep hillside, and I was fascinated by the traditional chimney pots, which had real character and would make a surprising and beautiful foreground for a panoramic painting!

THE PAINTING

Painting on this trip was a dream. Mary-Anne and Heidi had done a marvellous job discovering good painting spots on their reconnaissance trip to Mairena! The area is beautiful, and there is no shortage of painterly opportunities, but the girls at Art Safari had found the creme de la creme. All the facilities we might have needed were close by...shade, water, refreshments, loos... David and Emma kindly delivered us to the painting locations, popping all our equipment in their 4 x 4. I have never been so comfortable (and excited) painting en plein air!!

The gallery right shows one of my sketches, developed in to a painting on my return home.

The Church at Jubar

The Church at Jubar

Watercolour sketch en plein air

The Church at Jubar

Planning sketch for painting

The Church at Jubar

Watercolour painting of the church

ACCOMMODATION

We will be staying in Las Chimeneas, a gorgeous hotel run by David and Emma Illsley. With white washed walls, blue shutters, and decorated in traditional local style the atmosphere is very comfortable and relaxing. The restaurant is just lovely, serving local Alpujarran recipes handed down over generations. Emma's recently published book, 'Recipes and Stories from an Alpujarran Village'is certain to whet your appetite!

David and Emma are superb hosts. They have been living in Mairena for many years, and are very happy to share their local knowledge with their guests. David and Emma make finding inspirational locations easy and enjoyable, adding anecdotes and information that make the painting even more pleasurable.

Las Chimeneas

View from the restaurant

Las Chimeneas

Las Chimeneas

Emma's Book

MAIRENA & THE REGION

TO BOOK

This painting holiday is run by Art Safari. Full details of the trip and information on how to book can be found on their website, www.artsafari.co.uk . If you have any questions do not hesitate to call them, Mary-Anne and Heidi are very friendly and helpful. Or of course, you could contact me!